04-20-2019 04:19 PM
In a prior thread, the topic came up about lack of information for those wanting to start using variations.
@mcdougle4248 wanted to try using variations, but there was no helpful roadmap, or perhaps those that existed online were outdated, so I said I would start one.
@myjunqueyourtreasure and @mam98031 specifically mentioned in that thread that they both regularly use variations, so I'm putting them on the spot here to ask what pitfalls and workarounds they've dealt with and which listing forms they are using (desktop vs mobile).
I've taken this endeavor to 80% completion where we can plug in, correct, or rearrange information. It's long winded because there is a lot of territory to cover. I've created new variation listings and have revised an existing variation in order to test and screencapture, but surely I have not hit all the gotchas.
Hopefully, we could come up with a shorter bullet list for those who already "get it" if they just knew how to start and only needed a few references. Or, for those who just like to follow pictures, perhaps we can add any pictorial steps that are missing.
Anyway, here is a work in progress, still rather rough around the edges, and when we get it smoothed out, we could post it here on the forums where others could more readily find it.
http://shipscript.com/ebayhelp/lister_hub/creating_ebay_variations.htm
04-20-2019 04:28 PM
04-20-2019 04:37 PM
@myjunqueyourtreasure wrote:
The main issue I see right now is ebay not being forthcoming about giving us a list of categories/sub categories where variations are allowable. ....
Have you found any problems (i.e., errors or omissions) with the list on the page that @shipscript's page links to?
04-20-2019 04:44 PM
04-20-2019 04:56 PM
I don't have the time right now to look through your tutorial but I can chime in with a few of the biggest "gotchas" someone might run into.
04-20-2019 05:09 PM
@myjunqueyourtreasure wrote: ... Decorative Collectible brands does NOT support variations....
Hmm, there doesn't seem to even BE a section called that.
04-20-2019 05:24 PM
It's a bit further down............
04-20-2019 05:40 PM
04-20-2019 05:40 PM
@Anonymous
Thank you for posting your list of gotchas. Do I need to test these listing issues or are your experiences rather recent?
04-20-2019 05:51 PM - edited 04-20-2019 05:52 PM
Shipscript you are certainly doing a service for ALOT of sellers. I used to use (try to) variations years ago and took me DAYS and alot of bad words to finally get them done.......then I'd forget and have to go thru the process again to list another.
Only I have now to contribute is something I "think" is still applicable. You can only use flat rate shipping so be sure you figure out how to do that BEFORE creating the variations.......
04-20-2019 06:02 PM - edited 04-20-2019 06:06 PM
@shipscript wrote:@Anonymous
Thank you for posting your list of gotchas. Do I need to test these listing issues or are your experiences rather recent?
My experiences are consistent over the past three years including as recent as two weeks ago. If you need screenshots of anything I mentioned you can send me a PM and I'll work with you to get what you need.
More quirks now that I think about it:
04-20-2019 06:08 PM
04-20-2019 06:09 PM
04-20-2019 06:31 PM
If you need me to explain this one in more detail let me know, but you seem like the type of person who will understand what I'm getting at.
04-20-2019 06:43 PM
@Anonymous wrote:
- You can choose to use default listing photos for all variations, but most of the time you will choose to use photos for each attribute.
- You can only use photos for one attribute. This is notable if you have an item that comes in different patterns (stripe, polka dot, chevron) and those patterns come in different colors for each pattern (blue, red, yellow).
I should probably tell you the work-around for this:
Instead of using both pattern and color attributes use only pattern, then put the color in the variation name.
Blue Stripe
Red Stripe
Blue Dot
etc